ORIGIN

Beautifully Restored 1962 Volvo PV 544 in SoCal…

This recently restored Volvo looks great in red and has some nice details. It is available here on Craigslist from the private owner in San Diego, California for $10,900.

The body and trim restoration looks incredible. We like the one-piece windshield in the 544…the 444 predecessor had a split windshield which looks even more archaic. Red is a great color on this car, and the stance is lowered thanks to components from iPd.

We would swap out these chrome wheels for either factory steelies with no caps or period American 5-spokes. We have seen these before and they looked great with the 544 lines. We like the factory emblem mud flaps.

Above is the cleanest vintage Volvo engine compartment we have ever seen. Every detail is exactly as we would specify…shorty K&N’s, Optima yellow top, black hoses, and red wires. It looks perfect. Seller says it runs very strong and has an overdrive transmission.

The interior is also very nice. The seats look too modern and should be swapped for a vintage pair, but the dash restoration is beautiful.

$10,900 is pennies for this car. Why pay $6k for a beater when this car looks so good for just a little more. Just be sure to add the wheels, a smattering of Cibie Oscars, and a California YOM rear license plate.

24 Comments

My very first car was a black, 1961 PV544; a “special” introductory model with a 3-speed transmission instead of the all-synchro 4-speed. I bought it, BRAND NEW off the dealer’s lot, at the list price of $1,995 !! I later put an Abarth muffler on it; supposedly it improved the performance a little, but it also sounded wonderful. Ah, those were the days.

i was wondering about something similar pro4art, due to seeing all these “years” of cars with the single window, then i began wondering even MORE when i saw that i have the small, round taillights, and ALL of the 1960 models ALL have those more oval-lookin ones! any help on finding the chassis numbers would be GREAT, as this is what my numbers are i could find, so far body-249638, type-p54408-A, chassis-249634, color code- 48-golden beige, upholstery code-24-143, says it was car number 53628 of 99494 made that year.

You’d have to know where all locations are for the serial number. Some aren’t very clear. My best guess would be a 444, with number tag changed over for a later model The other reason would be a car that was made late in the split window model run, and sat in a dealer’s inventory for 1 1/2 years. I saw a Daimler SP250 that was in a showroom for a long time, and due to Ohio title rules, was sold as a 1963, when it was really manufactured late 1960. That’s the way it was back then. Titled by date sold, not year made. If you ran the serial number thru the Volvo chassis numbers and came up with the 1960, I’d be asking questions. Possible also that a split window in good condition was available, to replace a bad single glass unit.

i just bought what the numbers say is a 1960 pv 544, with a 400hp 350/turbo 350 transmission. i was wondering, though, why i have a split windshield, when EVERY one of these cars i see has the one piece!

I’m always amazed that some don’t read, or comprehend, the dates that are clearly in the print above the first picture, and the dates for the comments that are posted. Right above “Beautifully Restored” is May 22, 2007. A car this good isn’t likely to still be for sale.

I suppose BAT should dumb down, explain why such an old post is again posted, and put a notice on repeats, or make a special category to justify the repost.

looks very good, what about the engine how many HP shouls it have? and the brakes? has it got disks at lreast in front?? Look forward to hear from you. I have one Volvo like this, runs beautifully with 140 HP Regards Vasco

This is a personel custom, not a period correct restoration. As such, very nicely finished, very valuable as is. Over Drive a HUGE plus. A 544 slightly lowered, will handle better than 80% of the public can drive it. Carpet to quiet it down some. Over drive for comfortable low engine RPM crusing, upright comfortable seating, Good room, big trunk, one of the best “old” cars, and will go good if you lean on the pedal. Can you tell I owned one? Bid on one last year in PA, but missed it, as price was too high for me.

I am happy to see the Volvos still running in America. It would be a day when I could afford such a class vehicle. Is the car still avaible. It would be a great idea to ship it to UK, where I live Reply